Sen Anderson: Bipartisan ‘game-changer’ housing reform clears legislature

By State Senator Dick Anderson
June 5, 2025

Senate Bill 974 B is now headed to the Governor’s desk after clearing both chambers of the Oregon Legislature with strong bipartisan support. The comprehensive bill aims to streamline the homebuilding process for single-family, detached, and middle housing developments within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).

The bill targets three major bottlenecks in the home building timeline: planning, engineering, and design review. By cutting through red tape in these areas, we are reducing the time it takes to turn raw dirt into homes from 2-3 years to under one year.

This landmark legislation was the result of a bipartisan effort led by Senate Housing Chair Khanh Pham (D-Outer SE & NE Portland), Vice-Chair Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City), House Housing Chair Pam Marsh (D-Ashland), and Vice-Chair Vikki Breese Iverson (R-Prineville).

In a joint statement, they said:

“Oregonians are more concerned than ever about the rising cost of housing. Our job in the legislature is to ensure government isn’t standing in the way of building more homes in communities across Oregon. Senate Bill 974 B is a great way to show that Democrats and Republicans alike are serious about tackling our housing crisis and using every tool we have to increase production.”